Key holder and chain-attaching means



Oct. 22, 1940. J. M. COLLlNS KEY HOLDER AND CHAIN-ATTACHING MEANS Filed Dec. 12, 1958 31 811721.- efaum'fll. l alllkv' W v /7%r1a a1 Patented Oct. 22, 1940 UNITED STATES KEY HOLDER AND CHAIN-ATTACHING MEANS James M. Collins, North Attleboro, Mass.

Application December 12, 1938, Serial No. 245,185

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in key holders and like devices of the type illustrated and described in my prior United States Letters Patent No. 2,048,599, issued July 21, 1936.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device which is adapted to be used both as a key holder and as an attaching loop at the end of a chain or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated comprising a bifurcated loop-member with legs extending in spaced-apart relationship and a pivoted latchmember extending between the ends of the legs to close the open end .of the loop-member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated having the latchmember positioned within the loop-member and rockable on one leg to engage the inside face of the opposite leg.

Another object of the invention is to provide a channel-shaped latch-member for a device of the type indicated having top and side walls adapted to extend between the spaced legs of the loop-member to close the open end of the latter and spaced ears at the ends of the latch-member adapted to embrace the sides of the legs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a loop-member for a key holder or the like of the type indicated having a cam-face engageable by the end of the latch-member to flex the legs apart and a notched detent above the camface for locking engagement with the latch.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type indicated which is of simple structure, economical to manufacture and more convenient in use than previously known articles of like nature.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes several forms of construction of the improved device as illustrated by the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is an enlarged perspective view of a pair of loop-members incorporating the novel features of the present invention and shown attached to the opposite ends of a chain to function both as an attaching means therefor and as a key holder;

Fig. 2 is a part-sectional side view of a pre-' ferred form of the device showing the bifurcated loop-member and the latch-member or retaining means extending between its opposite legs for closing the open end of the loopmember;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the latch-member swung into the opening of the bifurcated loop-member to permit the placing of keys thereon or for attaching the chain to a belt-loop or the like on the apparel of the wearer;

Fig. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the latch-member;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of construction of the bifurcated loop-member; and r Fig. 6 is a view similar toFigure 3 showing a second modified form of construction of the bifurcated loop-member.

In the keyholder illustrated in my prior patent the opposite legs of a bifurcated loop-member are manually flexed toward each other to adapt the looped end of a. latch-member pivoted to one leg to be engaged over the end of the opposite leg or to be released therefrom. In accordance with the present improvement the latch-member is in the form of astrut extending between the inside faces of the opposite legs of the loop-member. The improved latchmember is pivoted at one end to one of the legs and its opposite free end is adapted to engage an inclined surface on the inside face of the opposite leg as it is moved to closed position to flex the legs apart. A notched recess is also provided on the inside face and at the end of the leg having the inclined surface for locking engagement with the free end of the latchmember. Thus, the legs of the loop-member are automatically flexed apart as the latch-mem ber is moved to closed position to initially tension the loop-member whereby the free end of the latch-member snaps into and is thereafter held by the notched recess.

In Figs. 1 to 3 of the present drawings the bifurcated loop-member 2 is illustrated as constructed from a strip of spring metal of cylindrical cross-section which is bent into a semicircular loop 3 with legs 4 and 5 extending therefrom in substantially parallel relationship; one leg 5 being inclined slightly toward the other leg '4 when the latch-member is moved to open position. It will be understood, however, that the strip material may have any other crosssectional shape, such as square, hexagonal or the like, and come within the scope of the presate cam-surface 1 formed with a notched recess 8 adjacent its end.

A latch member ID is pivotally mounted on the laterally-extended ends of the pivot-pin 6 for rocking movement within the loop-member 2 from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3. As illustrated in the drawing the latch-member I is of channel-shape in crosssection having a top wall II and depending side walls l2 and I3. Theside walls l2 and I3 of the latch-member l0 project beyond the ends of the top wall II to provide spaced pairs of ears l4 and I5 at its. opposite ends. The latch-member I0 is of such dimensions that the side walls 12 and I3 and the spaced pairs of ears l4 and I5 are adapted to embrace the leg 4 or 5 of the loopmember 2, as the case may be, with a close fit as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. The ears I4 of the latch-member ID are pierced to receive the laterally-extending ends of the pivot pin 6 to hingedly mount the latch-member In on the leg 4. A bail i6 is provided on the top wall ll of the latch- 'member ID for connecting the key holder to a chain I! or the like and as herein illustrated the bail is in the form of a loop forced outwardly from the material of the top wall between parallel slits formed therein. Thus, the latch-member I0 is adapted to straddle the leg 4 as illustrated in Fig. 3 or to be rocked to the position illustrated in Fig. 2 to engage the free end of its top wall H with the notched recess 8 on the inside face of the opposite leg 5 while the ears i5 engage across the lateral faces thereof.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of the device wherein the bifurcated loop-member is bent to provide a central circular portion 2| and oppo-' site legs 22 and 23 which incline inwardly toward each other from the central bent portion. The leg 23 is provided with an inclined cam-surface 24 and a notched detent 25 of a construction similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. In this modified form of construction of device the latchmember I0 is of identical construction with that described above.

Fig. 6 illustrates a further modified form of the device wherein the bifurcated loopmember is bent into a semi-circular loop 3| with legs 32 and 33 extending therefrom in substantially parallel relationship with one leg 33 inclined slightly toward the other leg 32. One of the legs 32 is bent at right-angles to form a lateral endportion or arm 34 projecting to a point substantially midway between the ends of the loop. An inclined cam-face 35 and notched recess 36 are provided on the inside face of the leg 33 adjacent its end similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5. A latch-member 31 of a construction similar to that illustrated in Figs. .1 to 5 is pivotally mounted on a pivot-pin 38 extending through the arm 34 adjacent its end and cars at the end of, the latch-member similar-to the ears l4 illustrated in Fig. 1. In this modified form of construction a bail is provided independent of the latch-member 31 for connecting the key holder to a chain I! .or the like. The connecting bail 40 is in the form of a loop pivotally mounted on the end portions of the pivot-pin 38 which project laterally beyond the sides of the latch-member 31 and are headed over at their ends. It will be apparent that the loop-members 20 and 30 are adapted to support a larger number of keys than the loop-member 2 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3.

With anyone of the three forms of construction shown the method of operation of the device is as next explained'with respect to the preferred form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. When it is desired to place one or a number of keys on the holder the leg 5 is caused to spring away from the opposite leg 4 to release the top wall ll of the latch-member ID from engagement with the notch 8 so that the latch-member may be swung downwardly into the loop-member 2 to the position illustrated in Fig. 3. The release of the latch-member ill from the detent-notch 8 may be accomplished by exerting strong pressure on the top of the latch-member to cause its end to snap out of the notch. Due to the channel-shape form of the latch-member H) it is adapted to straddle the leg 4 to provide a relatively wide opening between the ends of the legs 4 and 5 to permit the keys to be readily placed over the end of the leg 5 to adapt them to assume a grouped relationship as illustrated in Fig. 1. When an additional device is joined to the opposite end of the chain I! from the key holder, as shown in Fig. 1, it may be used for connection to the belt-loop on the trousers or to any other convenient part of the wearers apparel.

When the desired number of keys has been placed on the holder in the manner as above described the latch-member I0 is swung upwardly to engage the free end of its top wall H with the inside face of the leg 5. As the latch-member I0 is moved upwardly to close the open end of the loop-member 2 the engagement of the end of its top wall H with the inclined cam-face 1 causes the leg 5 to be flexed away from the leg 4 to place an initial tension on the loop-member. At the end of the upward movement of the latch-member ID the free end of its top wall II will enter the notched recess 8 to lock the latch-member in closed position between the ends of the legs 4 and 5.

It will be noted that in the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 the rearward end of the top wall ll of the latch-member I0 adjacent the pivot-pin 6 will engage the inside face ofthe leg 4 of the loop-member 2 to prevent the latch-member from outward movement beyond the end of the leg 5, thus guarding against accidental release of the keys. The holder with its attached keys may be carried loosely in the pocket, handbag or other receptacle or may be attached to a chain I! by means of the bail IS in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The connection of the holder with a flexible chain l1 provides for free movement of the holder to adapt it to assume a convenient position when selecting a particular key, or when the holder with its attached keys is flexed in the pocket or other receptacle. The device joined to the opposite end of th chain H as illustrated in Fig. 1 may be attached to the belt-loop, buckle or other article of apparel, the present invention adapting the device for use as a loop for attachment to articles of clothing as well as a key holder.

Due to the inherent spring tendency of the wire or other material from which the device is constructed the latch-member I0 is securely held in locked engagement with the end of the leg 5 of the loop-member 2 to resist any tendency to unlatch or open the holder. The keys may slide around the loop-member 2 and in one or the other position will bring up against the latch-member l0 so that they cannot possibly escape from the holder.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention provides a particularly simple and ingenious formof key-holder or loop-connector which may be manufactured from strip material by a simple bending operation. The latch member may also be made economically from sheet material by a single stamping operation. At the same time the device is extremely practical in use and safe and secure as a holder for keys or the like.

It is to be understood that modifications other than those herein shown may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. A device of the type indicated comprising a loop-member constructed of resilient material and having a central portion and legs extending therefrom with their free ends spaced apart, and a latch-member pivoted to one leg of the loopmember and adapted to rock to engage the inside face of the opposite leg of the loop-member, the inside face of the leg of the loop-member opposite the pivot having a cam-face engaged by the end of the latch-member for flexing the legs apart and a detent notch engaged by the latchmember to retain it in position bridging the space between the legs of the loop-member.

2. A device of the type indicated comprising a loop-member constructed of resilient material and having a central portion and legs extending therefrom with their free ends spaced apart, and a channel-shaped latch-member having a top wall and side walls extending beyond the top wall, means on one leg of the loop-member pro- J'ecting through the extended ends of the side walls of the latch-member to pivotally mount the latter thereon for rocking movement on the loop member, the inside face of the opposite leg of the loop-member being adapted to be engaged by the end of the top wall of the latch-member to flex the legs apart and having a detent notch for engagement by the end of the top wall of the latchmember to retain the latter in position bridging the space between the legs of the loop-member.

3. A device of the type indicated comprising a loop-member constructed of resilient material and having a central portion and legs extending therefrom with their free ends spaced apart, a channel-shaped latch-member having a top wall with a connecting loop thereon and side walls which extend beyond the top wall to provide spaced ears at the opposite ends thereof, said spaced ears being adapted to straddle the opposite legs of the loop-member, and means on one of the legs of the loop-member extending through the ears at one end of the latch-member to pivotally connect the latter thereto, the inside face of the opposite leg of the loop-member being adapted for engagement by the end of the latch-member to flex the legs apart and having a detent-notch engageable by the latch-member to retain it in position bridging the space between the legs.

4. A device of the type indicated comprising a loop-member constructed of resilient material and having a curved portion and substantially parallel legs extending from the ends of its curved por tion with their free ends spaced apart, and a channel-shaped latch-member having a top wall, said latch-member being pivoted to one leg of the loop-member and adapted to rock to engage the edge of its top wall with the inside face of the opposite leg of the loop-member, the inside face of the leg of the loop-member engaged by the latch-member having a detent-notch for locking engagement with the end of the top wall of the latch-member to retain the latter in position bridging the space between the legs of the loopmember.

5. A device of the type indicated comprising a loop-member constructed of resilient material and having a curved portion with legs extending therefrom and inclined inwardly toward each other with their free ends spaced apart, and a channel-shaped latch-member having a top wall and depending side walls, said side walls of the latch-member being pivoted to one leg of the loop-member to adapt the latch-member to rock to engage the end of its top wall with the inside face of the opposite leg of the loop-member, the

inside face of the leg of the loop-member engaged by the latch-member having camming means for spreading the legs of the loopmember and a detent-notch for locking engagement with the end of the top wall of thelatch-member to retain the latter in position bridging the space between the legs of the loop-member.

6. A device of the type indicated comprising a loop-member constructed of resilient material and having a curved portion and parallel legs extending from the ends of its curved portion with a cross-arm projecting inwardly from the end of one of its legs, and a latch-member pivoted to the end of said cross-arm to adapt it to be swung into engagement with the inside face of the opposite leg, the inside face of the opposite leg engaged by the latch-member being cut away to provide a notched recess for locking engagement with the end of the latter to retain it in position bridging the space between the legs of the loopmember.

7. A device of the type indicated comprising a loop-member of resilient strip-material bent to provide a central portion and legs extending therefrom with their free ends spaced apart, and a single-piece latch-member having pivot-means at one end and a terminal edge at its opposite end, said latch-member being pivoted to one leg of the loop-member to adapt it to rock to engage the terminal edge at its opposite end with the inside face of the opposite leg of the loop-member, the inside face of the leg of the loop-member engaged by the latch-member being cut away to provide a notched recess for locking engagement with the terminal edge of the latch-member to retain the latter in position connecting the legs of the loop-member.

JAMES M. COLLINS. 

